Anaheim: A Tale of Two Cities

In the tumultuous summer of 2012, Anaheim, California, known as the enchanting home of Disneyland, found itself at the center of a disturbing narrative. The documentary “Anaheim: A Tale of Two Cities” delves into the harrowing events that unfolded when 25-year-old Manuel Diaz, a Latino man, was fatally shot in the back of the head by the police. The shocking incident, witnessed by numerous residents who captured the aftermath on their cell phones, exposed a community grappling with the repercussions of police violence.

The official police account asserted that Diaz was reaching for a weapon in his waistband, although no such weapon was ever recovered. Eyewitnesses countered this narrative, claiming that the police offered little assistance as Diaz lay dying. The situation escalated as more residents gathered at the scene, prompting the police to deploy reinforcements, leading to a tense confrontation. Local news channels captured the incident, and the footage quickly went viral, sparking a nationwide conversation about police brutality. The footage not only shed light on Diaz’s tragic death but also exposed the use of force against his mother, shot three times with bean bag rounds as she rushed to aid her son.

Within 24 hours of Diaz’s death, another young Latino man fell victim to an Anaheim Police shooting, marking the seventh police shooting death in less than a year. The documentary unfolds the subsequent community outrage, shedding light on the deep-seated issues of police violence and its impact on marginalized communities. “Anaheim: A Tale of Two Cities” becomes a powerful testament to the need for accountability, transparency, and a reexamination of policing practices in a city that symbolizes joy for millions but is also haunted by a darker reality.